ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — An advocate for disabled New Yorkers has begun a walk from Albany to the nation's capital to call attention to abuse in the state care system and request federal investigations.

Tom Cavanagh, a former chef who made a similar walk two years ago across New York, says he expects this one to take 12 days.

He says he has received support from Rep. Chris Gibson, a Hudson Valley Republican, and hopes to draw support from advocates along the way.

Cavanagh is accompanied by a recreational vehicle from the Jonathan Carey Foundation, established by Michael Carey, whose 13-year-old autistic son was killed by a state caregiver in 2007.

They are advocating that abuse reports go to local police instead of the state Justice Center.

[STORY BY: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS]

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